Bale-tie machine.



Patented June 3, I902.

P. FRANTZ.

BALE TIE MACHINE. (Appliation filed Oct. 14, 1901.

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www an THE "snags perms co. FNOTOUYWOY. wasumcmna n cy No. 701,478.Pateli ted June 3, I902.

P. FRANTZ.

BALE TIE MACHINE.

(Application filed Oct. 14, 1901.) (No Model.) l0 SheetsSheet 2.

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I, THE NORRIS PETERS CD PNUYOJJTHO WASHINGYON. D- C. f

No. 70|,478. Patented June 3, I902. P. FRANTZ.

BALE TIE MAGHiNE.

(Application filed Oct. 14, 1901.)

l0 Shaets$heet 3,

(No Model.)

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No. 70l,478.

Patented June 3, I902. P. FRANTZ.

BALE TIE MACHINE. (Applicatiqn filed Oct. 14, 1961.

I0 Sheets-Sheet 4,

(No Model.)

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No. 70|,478. Patented June 3, I902.

P. FRANTZ. v

BALE TIE MACHINE.

(Application filed Oct. 14, 1901.

(No Model.) m Sheets-Sheet 5.

jz e zzii/z 9%; 7%. WWW I No. 70!,478. Patented June 3, I902.

' P. FRANTZ.

BALE TIE MACHINE.

(Application filed Oct. 14, 1901. (No Model.) 10 Sheets-Shaet 6.

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N0. 70!,478. Patented June 3, [902. P. FRANTZ.

BALE TIE MACHINE.

(Application filed 00b, 14, 1901.)

(No Model.) [0 Shoets-Shmat 7.

TNE uanms PETERS o0 PHOTO-LITMO" wAsMmsmN. n. c

No. 70|,478. r Patented June 3, I902.

, P. FRANTZ.

BALE TIE MACHINE.

(Application filed Oct. 14, 1901.) (No Model.) l0 Sheets-Sheet 9.

No. 70l,478. Patented June 3, I902.

P. FRANTZ.

BALE TIE MACHINE (Application filed Oct. 14 1901.) (No Model.) l0Shaets-$heet ID.

UNiTEn STATES PETER FRANTZ, OF STERLING, ILLINOIS.

BALE-TI MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 701,478, dated June 3,1902. Application filed October 14. 1901. Serial No. 78,584. (No model.)

T all. whom. it may concern:

Be it known that 1, PETER FRANTZ, a citizen of the United States,residing at Sterling, in the county of WVhiteside and State of Illinois,have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Bale-Tie Machines;and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exactdescription oftheinventiomsuch as will enable others skilledin the artto which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had tothe accompanying drawings, and to the letters and figures of referencemarked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

Myinvention pertains to machines for making bale-ties,and aims toprovide an improved and superior style of mechanism for that purpose.

As heretofore used machines of this class have operated upon one wire ata time,wires being fed into the machine by hand.

My invention is adapted to receive one or more wires as they come fromthe temperingfurnace or from suitable reels, out such wires intosuitable lengths for bale-ties, form a loop on the end of each wire'insuccession as they pass through the machine,bind a desired number of themanufactured bale-ties into a bundle, and deliver such bundle from themachine.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a plan view of the principal operating partof my machine, one end thereof being cut away. Fig. 2 is a plan view ofthat part of the machine which is not shown in Fig. 1. Figs. 1 and 2taken together form a plan view of the entire machine. Fig. 3is alongitudinal vertical section in the line 3 3 of Fig. 1, showing thefeed mechanism. Fig. 41 is a vertical cross-section in the line 4 41 ofFig. 1, showing the wire-cutting mechanism in elevation. Fig. 5 is avertical cross-section in the broken line 5 5 of Fig. 2, showingmechanism for guiding the wires. Fig. 6 is an enlarged detail view fromFig. 5, showing two of the wire-guides in position for releasing thewires. Fig. 7is an elevation in detail of one of the plates 102. Fig. 8is a vertical cross-section in the line 8 8 of Fig. 2, exhibiting thewire conveying mechanism. Fig. 9 is a vertical cross-section in the line9 9 of Fig. 1, exhibiting parts of the loop-forming mechanism. Fig. 10is a vertical longitudinal section of the plunger 55 shown in Fig. 9.Fig. 11 is a vertical crosssection thereof. Fig. 12 is a verticallongitudinalsection in the line 12 12 of Fig. 1, showing other parts ofthe loop-forming mechanism. Fig. 13 is a detailview showing theconnection of levers,which appear incomplete in lower part of Fig. 12.Fig. 141 is a plan view of the loop-forming jaws and mechanismappurtenant thereto. Fig. 15 is a front elevation of the same, partly insection. Fig. 16 is a front elevation of the brake mechanism shown inFig. 12 in side elevation. Fig. 17 is a detailed view of mechanism foractuating the rock-shaft 28. Fig. 18 is an end view of the clutchmechanism for controlling the operation of the coiling-finger 109, aportion of the clutch being broken away. Fig. 19 is a detailed rearelevation of the main gear mechanism and pinions actuated thereby. Fig.20 is a rear elevation of the bundling device. Fig. 21 is a sideelevation thereof. Fig. 22 is a rear elevation of the same in positionfor cutting the binding-wire and releasing the bundle. Fig. 23 is avertical longitudinal section of the same in line 23 23 of Fig. 20.Figs. 24 and 25 exhibit in detail the cutting-disks of the bundlingdevice. Fig. 26 is a detached View of the main power-conveying shaft andmechanism appurtenant thereto. Fig.27 is a detailed view, partly insection, of the disks 14:1 and 142 in Fig. 26. Fig. 28 is a verticalcross-section in the line 28 28 of Fig. 26, showing the cam 149 andappurtenant mechanism in elevation. Fig. 29 is a vertical cross-sectionin line 29 29 of Fig. 26, showing the cam 171 and appurtenant mechanismin elevation. Fig. 30 is a detail View of ratchet mechanism forimparting movement to the shaft 39. Fig. 31 is a vertical cross-sectionin the line 31 31 of Fig. 2, showing the counter-wheel which puts inoperation the bundling device. Fig. 32 is a detail section in the line32 32 of Fig. 31, showing the end of the trip-lever 201 and lugactuating the same. Fig. 33 is a front elevation of the mechanism whichoperates the bun.- dling device. Fig. 31 is a side elevation thereoflooking toward the right-hand side of the machine. Fig. 35 is a detailview showing front of the machine.

vation of the gear-train which imparts movement to the feed-rolls. Figs.37, 38, and 39 exhibit the loop end of one of the wires, showing theloop in process of formation. Fig. 4.0 shows a portion of completedbundle of baleties. Fig. 11 is a cross-section thereof in the line 41 41of Fig. 40.

Similar letters and numbers refer to similar parts throughout theseveral figures.

In considering the drawings tha t part of the machine which is shown inFig. 1 at the top of the sheet will be treated as the rear end or backof the machine, that part thereof which is shown in Fig. 2 at the bottomof the sheet as the front end of the machine, and accordingly the rightand left sides of such sheets will be respectively the right and lefthand sides of the machine. Any description of parts shown by figuresother than Figs. 1 and2 will be made with reference to the generalposition above set forth.

In the following specification there will be first described thosegroups of mechanism which act immediately upon the wires, producing someone of the operations of feeding, cutting, conveying, bending, andbundling such wires. Such parts act directly upon the wires and make upwhat may be designated as the primary mechanism of the machine. Aftersuch parts are fully described and explained there will be taken up thesecondary mechanism, by means of which the primary devices are actuatedand controlled.

1 represents the frame of the machine or some portion-thereof, and 2 thewires both before and after the formation of the same into bale-ties.

There is shown in Figs. 1 and 3 a train of feed-rolls, consisting of anupper series of rolls 3, seated on the shaft 41, and a lower series ofrolls 5, seated on the shaft (5. The shaft 6 is suitably supported inthe bearings 7, seated on the bed-plate 8, which is secured to theframe 1. Each upper roll 3 is provided with a tension-bearing 9, hinged,as at a, and provided on the upper side of its loose end with anextensile spring 10. Supported by the springs 10 is a cross=bar 11,having vertical play between the uprights 12. There is also securedbetween the uprights 12 a bar 13, upon which at each end is an eccentric14, provided with 'a handle 15, whereby the cross-bar 11 can be forceddownwardly upon the springs 10 and the friction between the upper andlower rolls increased or diminished, as desired.

Power is applied to the lower feed-rolls only,

as hereinafter set forth, causing such feed rolls to rotate constantlyin a direction which, with the assistance of the upper feed-roll, willpropel the wires 2 into the machine. A series of wires 2 (being six innumber, as shown 1 in my device) is in this way introduced into themachine, passing, after leaving the feedrolls, through a series ofguide-tubes 16, seated in a face-plate 17, rigidly supported upon thebed-plate 8, Figs. 3 and 4:. If necessary,

an auxiliary series of guide-tubes 18 may be employed or the tubes 16may be prolonged a sufficient distance toward the feed-rolls to insurethe passage of the wires from such rolls to the tubes. The ends of theguide-tubes farthest from the feed-rolls are fiush with the face of theplate 17. From the tubes 16 the wires 2 pass into a series of guides 19,each of which guides is provided with alongitudinal channel 20, Figs. 5and 6. The guides 19 are formed in two parts. An upper strip 21 isrigidly fastened to two or more supports 22, grooved on their lowerfaces to form the channels 20. The lower strips 23 are supported bybrackets 24, secured to slide-bars 25, which have longitudinal play inways 26 on the supports 22. The outer end of each slide-bar 25 ispivotally secured to a collar 27, rigidly seated on a rock-shaft 28,journaled in the supports 22. The lower strips 23 of the guides 19 arenormally beneath the upper strip 21, closing the channels 20, as shownin Fig. 5; but when it is desired to deliver the wires to other parts ofthe machine by a slight move ment of the rock-shaft 28 outwardly thelower strips 23 are simultaneously drawn aside, opening the guides 19and permitting the wires to falltherefrom. (See Fig. 6.)

In Fig. 4 is illustrated the cutting mechanism. To the upper part of theface-plate 17 is secured a slide-bar 29, so as to have longi tudinalmovement thereon. Rigidly secured on the rock-shaft 28, before referredto, is a lever 30, the short end of which has a slot 31,

A series of knives 35 r IIO gaged by recesses 37 in a series of blocks38,

secured on the lower side of the slide-bar 29. By a movementof therock-shaft 28 the short end of the lever 30 is thrown outwardly,carrying the slide-bar 29 and blocks 38 in the same direction andcausing the knives 35-to pass over the ends of the tubes 16, severingany wires that may be projecting therefrom. The movement of therock-shaft 28 is so timed that the wires 2 are cut by the knives 35after they have extended a desired distance into i the machine. Theoperation of the cutting mechanism is such that the action of the knives35 in cutting the wires and returning to their former positions isinstantaneous, the return of the mechanism to its normal position, asshown in Fig. 4, being aided by the spring 34. The same movement of therockshaft 28 which operates the knives 35 opens the guides 19, permitingthe severed wires to fall upon the mechanism by which they are conveyedto the loop-forming devices.

Referring to Figs. 5 and 8, 39 is a rotary shaft j ournaled in bearings40 in the supports 22, power being applied thereto so as to cause it torotate intermittently, such shaft being given a half-revolution at atime, such halfrevolutions being alternated with short periods of rest.Seated on one end of the shaft 39 is a sprocket-wheel 41, which by meansof the sprocket-chain 42 and sprocket-wheel 43 communicates acorresponding intermittent rotation to the shaft 44, upon the end ofwhich the sprocket-wheel 43 is secured. The shaft 44 is suitablyjournaled on the frame 1, parallel to the shaft 39 and in the samehorizon tal plane therewith. Supported on the shafts 39 and 44 is aseries of tracks 45. Separated by each track 45 is a pair of racks 46and 47, operated, respectively, by a pair or eccentrics 48 48 and 49 49,seated on the shafts 39 and 44. Each rack is formed of alternatingarches 50 and spaces 51, and the eccentrics are so disposed upon theshafts 39 and 44 that those of one rack are in direct opposition tothose of the other rack in the same pair, so that in the rotation of theshafts while one rack in each pair is moving downward and backward theother rack of each pair is moving upward and forward. When the shaftsare at rest, the racks are all on the same level, andeach arch and spaceforms one of several rows or series of arches andspaces in alinementlongitudinally of the machine, so that the wires 2 may occupy aseries ofspaces 51 lengthwise of the machine, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. Eachguide 19 is just above one of these series of spaces 51,. so that whenthe wires 2 are simultaneously cut and released from such guidestheyfall upon the tracks 45, each wire occupying one of the series ofspaces just beneath the guide 19 from which itwas released. To preventany danger of the wires jumping and entering the wrong spaces, there aresecured to the guides 19 bars 52, each provided with a series ofdownwardly-extending fingers 53, which insure the delivery of the wiresto their proper spaces. After falling upon the tracks 45 the wires 2 aregiven an intermittent lateral movement toward the right-hand side of themachine by means of the racks 46 and 47 until they pass over the ends ofsuch tracks at one side of the machine. Before reaching this point,however, each wire in succession has a loop formed in one end thereof,as hereinafter set forth. In their lateral movement the wires do notrise from the tracks,but merely slide thereon. As illustratedin Fig. 3,the next movement of the shafts 39 and 44 would carry the rack 46downward and backward, so that its arches forced along on the tracks 45by the move ment of the arches on theracks 47toward the right-hand sideof the machine. At the end of a half-rotation of the shafts 39 and 44the these three revolutions there will be six move-v ments of the wireson the tracks 45, so that when the last series of spaces 51 beneath theguides 19 is cleared'of such wires, as shown in Fig. 8, another seriesof such wires is cut and delivered upon the tracks and followsimmediately after the others, rendering the passage of such wiresthrough the machine continuous. I

The loop-forming mechanism will next be described. Supported upon thebed-plate 8 is an elevated track 54, uponwhich a plunger 55 hasreciprocating movement transversely of the machine, Fig. 9. The plunger55 is actuated by a lever 56, fulcrumed in the bed-plate 8, as at c, thelong end of the lever 56 engaging lugs 57 in the lower side of theplunger.

The short end of the lever 56 is provided with a follower 58, engaging atrack 59 on the face of the cam 60. This cam is seated on the main shaftof the machine, as will be hereinafter more fully set forth..

The plunger 55 is provided at one end with a perforation 61, in which issituated a vertical pin 62, such pinbeing held in place by a smallcoiled spring 63, seated in a recess 64 in the plunger 55 and pressingagainst one side of the pin 62. Just beneath the pin 62 is an incline65, formed on the track 54. plunger 55 is provided witharearwardly-extending bar 66, which supports the severed ends of thewires 2 as they move along the tracks 45.

67 is a twisting-head. seated on one end of a rotary shaft 68, jonrnaledin bearings 69 in The is a collar 77, having an annular groove 78. 1

The collar 77 has restricted movement longitudinally of thetwisting-head, being actuated by a lever 79, fulcrumed, as at e, on thebed-plate 8, and having at its upper end a yoke 80, provided withrollers 81, which engage the groove 7 S. The other end of the le- As thecollar 77 is moved 82, secured on the bed-plate 8.

backward on the twisting-head 67 the short end of the lever 75 isdepressed, the long end thereof being thereby raised and the pin 76drawn up into the projection 70. This is the normal position of thetwisting-head mechcross-plates 85, the inner ends of which havehorizontal grooves 86, Fig. 15, such grooves being in the samehorizontal plane as the groove 72 in the plate 71 of the twisting-head.Between the jaws 84 is a dividing-strip 87, having a raised portion 88,which is rigidly secured toa fixed plate89 on the forward ends of thetracks 82. The main strip 87 is brought to a point just beneath theraised portion 88, as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 14.

The jaws 84 are provided at their bases with wedge-shaped guides 90,which upon the forward movement of the slide-block 83 pass beneath theraised portion 88 and come in contact with each other by reason of theinclined walls 91 of the plate 89 engaging the outer faces of suchguides 90. The same operation brings the grooved ends of the plates 85in contact with each other. A contrary movement of the slide-block 83again separates the jaws 84 and cross-plate 85.

Reciprocating movement upon the tracks 82 is imparted to theslide-blocks 83 at de- A sired intervals by means of a lever 92,fulblock 83.

crumed to the lower face of the bed-plate 8, as at g, the upper end ofsuch leverengaging projections 93 on the lower face of the slide Bymeans of a connecting-bar 94 the lever 92 is loosely united with theparallel lever 95, also fulcrumed to the lower face of the bed-plate 8,as at h, and provided with the follower 96, whereby the lever 95 isoperated from a cam on the main shaft, as will be shown hereinafter. Theprovision of the parallel levers 92 and 95 is a matter of convenienceand permits of the use of one cam to operate the levers 79 and 92,whereas otherwise two cams would be necessary.

The operation of'the loop-forming mechanism hereinabove described is asfollows: Supposing one of the wires 2 to be in line with thetwisting-head 67, as shown in Fig. 1, the next succeeding wire 2 isbetween such twisting-head and the plunger 55. As this next wire isadvanced by the conveying mechanism toward the twisting-head the plungermoves in the same direction, bringing the pin 62 immediately in the rearof such wire. At

this time the slide-block 83 is at the end of its rearward movement, thejaws 84 being slightly in rear of the pin 76 in the twistinghead. As thewire continues to advance it is caught between the pin 62 and thenearest jaw 84: and the end thereof bent at right angles, as shown inFig. 37. the operation the long end of the lever of the twisting-head 67is raised and the pin '76 withdrawn into the projection 7 O. WVhen theplunger 55 reaches the end of its stroke, the

pin 62 is just under the pin 76, such pins being horizontally in lineand'nearly touching, the bent end of the wire being held by the pin 62in the groove 72 of the plate '71. The

long end of the lever 75 is then thrown downward, the pin 76 displacingthe pin 62 and forcing it downward into the plunger 55. The wire is nowheld in the groove 72 by the and the bent end thereof, bending such endstill farther around the pin 76 until it forms a hook, as shown in Fig.38. As the jaws close they bring the wire and the bent end thereoftogether a few inches in advance of the twisting-head and hold themfirmly in the same horizontal plane while the twistinghead describes thedesired number of revolutions, forming a loop 97 on the end of the wire.The number of revolutions as practiced in my machine is four. Afterforming the loop the twisting-head 67 stops in its nor-, mal position,as shown in Fig. 12, the lever 75 is raised, and the jaws 84; movedbackward, liberating the completed loop. While the twisting operation isin progress, the conveying mechanism is at rest. In order that the loops97 may be uniform in length, I provide a guide 98, Figs. 1 and 9, whichserves as a gage for the loop ends of the wires 2 and fixes the lengththereof. One or more guards 99 may be employed attached to the guides 19to prevent the loop ends of the wires jumping or becoming displaced. Theend of that guard 99 which is nearest the cut end of the wires isinclined slightly downward, so thatwhen the end of the wire passesbeyond the end of such guard it cannot return thereunder. As the end ofthe wire is bent at right angles, as hereinbefore described, the bentend of the wire is raised slightly upward by the end of said guard 99,preventing such end of the wire coming in contact or interfering withthe next succeeding wire 2. After leaving the twisting mechanism thewires are carried over the ends of the tracks 45, as hereinbeforestated, and delivered to the bun dling device,which consists, primarily,of the following-described mechanism: Secured to the frame 1 at theright-hand side of the machine is a series of brackets 100, in which isjournaled in bearings 101 a rock-shaft 102, Figs. 1, 2, and 5. .Fixed onthe shaft 102 is a series of segment-plates 103, each of such platesbeing provided on the upper edge At this point in thereof with a horn104, between which and the edges 105 of the plates 103 the wires 2 fallwhen carried over the ends of the tracks 15. When a desired number ofcompleted bale-ties has been received between the horns 10 1 and theedges 105, the shaft 102 is rocked inwardly,carrying with it the horns10%,which force such bale-ties into a compact and circular bundle inrecesses 100 in the brackets 100. The wires are then firmly held in thisposition while a binding-wire 107, fed through a guide 108, Fig. 20, istwisted a desired n u inher of times about the bundle of wires near theloops 97 thereon. This is accomplished by means of acoiling-finger100,fixed on the end of a rotating shaft 110, such shaftbeing journaled in bearings 111 on the framel and actuated by agear-pinion 112 on that end of such shaft opposite to thecoiling-finger.

My machine is so constructed and operated as to cause two revolutions ofthe shaft 110 for each bundle, resulting in two coils of the wire 107,as shown in Fig. 10. The coilingwire may be fed from an ordinary reelconveniently secured to some part of the frame 1. After being coiledabout the bundle the wire 107 is cut close to such bundle by thefollowing means: On that end of the shaft 102 adjacent to thecoiling-finger 109 is fixed a disk 114, Figs. 20 to 25, provided on itsperiphery with a knife 115 and prong 116. Secured to the shaft 102, soas to move therewith in the bearing 101, is a bushing 117. Between thedisk 114 and bushing 117 is a disk 118, loosely seated on the shaft 102and provided on its periphery with a head 119, in which is secured aknife 120. That face of the disk 118 nearest the bushing 117 hasrecesses 121 to hold friction-springs 122. Opposite to the head 119 onthe periphery of the disk 118 is a stop-bolt 123, and projecting fromthe guide .108 in the rear of the disk 118 is a stop 124,

against which the head 119 strikes, as shown in Fig. 20, preventingfurtherbackward movement of the disk 118.

The mechanism for cutting the coiling-wire 107 is normally in theposition shown in Fig. 20, the bale-ties being received therein abovethe projecting end of the coiling-wire107. WVhen the desired number ofwires 2 have been received in the bundling mechanism and the shaft 102rocks inwardly, as hereinbefore mentioned, it carries with it the disk11 1, the prong 110 keeping in line with the horns 104: and assisting inforcing the wires into a bundle. The projecting end of. the wire 107 isthen wrapped about the bundle, as above stated. During this movement thedisk 118 has been stationary against the stop 12%. As soon as thecoiling operation is completed the shaft 102 moves outward again, goingbeyond its former position and performing something more than ahalf-rotation. In the consequent outward movement of the disk 11 1 theknife 115 comes in contact with the wire 107, such wirev being embracedbetween the knives 115 and 120. The knife reason of the bolt 123 comingin contact with the stop 12 1-, as shown in Fig. 22. The disk 11 1continues to revolve, however, until the knife 115 passes the knife 120,cutting the wire 107 and releasing the bundle of wires. By the sameoutward movement of the shaft 1.02 the horns 101 are turned outward anddown ward, permitting the bundle to fall therefrom. The edges 105 of theplates 103 aid in ejecting the wires from the bundling mechanism. Afterthe bundle has been released the shaft 102 and appurtenant apparatusreturn to their normal position and the process is repeated. As thebushing 117 and disk 11 1 return to their former positions there issufficient friction upon the disk 11S, caused by the springs 122 .tocompel the same to revolve with the other parts until the head 119 againcomes in contact with the stop 12 1. The disk 11 1is provided on itsouter face with alug 125, having a beveled face adapted to force the endof the wire 107 away from such disk as the latter is turned backwardly.The engagement of the end of the wire by the coilingfinger is thusassured. wire 107 is regulated by a spring-actuated clamp 126, securedto the frame 1.. Guards 127, secured to theguides 19, may be used toinsure the passage of the wires from the loopforming to the bundlingmechanism. The bundles of bale-ties may be discharged from the bundlingmechanism upon the floor or upon a suitable vehicle to convey the samefrom the machine, or, if desired, a shaft 128 may be secured in bearings129 in the brackets 100, Fig. 5. Fixed upon such. shaft 128 is a seriesof supports 130, having backwardly extending bell crank shaped arms 131.By means of a lever 132, secured to the end of the shaft, Fig. 2, andresting upon the support 133, the shaft 128 can be rocked outwardly whendesired. In this construction a bundle of bale-ties is discharged fromthe bundling mechanism upon the supports 130, and when a desired numberof bundles have been delivered thereto they can he simultaneously dumpedby operating the lever 132, the arms 131 aiding in discharging thebundles from the supports.

The secondary mechanism, by means of which the primary mechanism isactuated and operated, will next be taken up and described in detail.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 26, 134 is the main gear-wheel, fixed on themain shaft 135, suitably supported in the frame of the machinelongitudinally thereof. Motion is imparted to the drive-wheel 134: bymeans of a pinion- The tension of the gear 136, fixed on a rotatingshaft 137. There is indicated in the drawings a clutch mechanism forquickly starting or stopping the machine; but the use thereof isoptional, is not involved in the operation of the machine, and need notbe particularly described. A large gear-wheel138 is fixed on a hollowshaft 139 just in rear of thewheel 134, Figs. 17 and 26. The shaft 139is journaled in the bearing 140, secured in the frame of the machine,such hollow shaft having rotation upon the shaft 135. On the inner endof the hollow shaft 139 is secured a disk 141, and contiguousthereto,but seated loosely on the main shaft 135, is a similar disk 142.The inner face of the disk 142 is provided with one or more spring-pawls143, adapted to engage a circular series of ratchets 134 in the face ofthe disk 141, Fig. 27. Integral with the disk 142 and adapted to rotatetherewith on the shaft is a pinion-gear 145,actuated by a rack 146 onthe bent-arm lever 147, fulcrumed on a supporting-shaft 148, secured inthe frame of the machine. Fixed on the shaft 135 is a cam 149, theperiphery of which engages the follower on the lever 147. Eachrevolution of the shaft 135 and cam 149 throws the lever 147 outward,causing the pinion 145 and disk 142 to rotate and imparting to thehollow shaft 139 and wheel 138 a one-third revolution. As the cam 149continues to revolve it engages the follower 151 on the arm 152,adjustably secured to the lever 147, such lever and the rack 146 beingthereby dra'wn inward ready for the next outward throw. The stopping ofthe wheel 138 when it has described one-third of a revolution isrendered positive by means of a segment-cam 153, secured to the innerface of the wheel 134 and engaging the cam 154, fixed on the end of thetwistinghead shaft 68, Fig. 1 and Fig. 19. Just in rear of the cam 154on the shaft 68 is secured a pinion gear-wheel'155, actuated by thegearwheel 138, a one-third revolution of the wheel 138 causing thepinion 155 to rotate four times, giving to the twisting-head the fourrevolutions already mentioned. As the wheel 138 nears the end of itsone-third revolution the cam 153 engages the straight edge of the cam154, stopping the shaft 68 and pinion 155 and through them the wheel138. By the same arrangement the twisting-head 67 is stopped in the sameposition at the end of each operation thereof. If desired, a brakeattachment may also be employed, as shown in Fig. 16. An upright 156,fixed to the bedplate 8, has a curved portion 157, in which is pivotallysecured a segment-bearing 158, adapted to engage the collar 159, securedto the shaft 68. The bearing 158 is capable of adjustment with relationto the collar 159 by means of set-screws 160 in the curved portion ofthe upright. Hinged in the upright 156, as at t', is adownwardly-extending lever 161, having a curved portion 162, the innerface of which engages the collar 159. On the lower end of the lever 161is a follower 163, actuated by a cam 164 on the main shaft 135, theoperation of such cam being so timed that it causes agradually-increasing pressure to be exerted upon the collar 159 by thelever 161 when the wheel 138 is nearing the end of a on e-thirdrevolution, thus assistingin bringing the shaft 68 to rest at the propertime.

Referring again to Fig. 26, 60 is a cam secured on the main shaft 135and provided with tracks 166 and 167, the track 166 engaging a follower(not shown) on the lower end of the lever 79, Fig. 12, and the track 167ongaging the follower 96 on the lever 95. Fulcrumed on thesupporting-shaft 148 is the lever 168, having a follower 169, engaged bya track 170 in the face of a cam 171, fixed on the main shaft 135. Theupper end of the lever 168 is bent outwardly into the rack 172, engagingand actuating the pinion 173, seated on the shaft 39, so as to rotatefreely thereon. Fixed en the shaft 39, adjacent to the pinion 173, is adisk 174, Fig. 30. The inner face of the pinion 173 has an annularseries of ratchets 175, engaging one or more pawls 176 in the inner faceof the disk 174. 7 The construction of the last-named parts is such thateach revolution of the main shaft 135 and cam 172 imparts to the disk174 and shaft 39 a halfrevolution, moving the wires 2 one space upon thetracks 45, as hereinbefore described.

The bundling mechanism is actuated and controlled as follows, referencebeing had to Figs. 31 to 35: The cam 177 is fixed on the end of a hollowshaft 178, adapted to rotate upon the main shaft 135. A slide-bar 179has longitudinal play in ways 180, secured at one end in a bearing 181on the main shaft 135 and at the other end in bearings 182 on the shaft102, Fig. 1. At its outer end the slidebar 179 is provided with a rack183, engaging a gear-pinion 184, fixed on the shaft 102. On the innerend of the slide-bar 179 is afollower 185, engaging a cam-track 186 inthe face of the cam 177. Fixed on the shaft 135 is a collar 187 inconstant engagement with the clutch 188. Secured to the frame 1 is abracket 189, from which is pivotally suspended a hanger 190, provided atits lower end with a yoke 191, the rollers 192 of which engage acircumferential groove 193 on the clutch 188. The collar 187 is recessedto hold extensile coiledsprings 194, which impinge the face of theclutch 188 and tend to throw such clutch into engagement with the hollowshaft 178. This tendency is overcome, however, by means of a brace 195,pivotally secured to the hanger 190, as at 70, the free end of the brace195 resting against a cam 196 on the face of the cam 177 and holding theclutch 188 out of engagement with the shaft 178, as shown in Fig. 34.This is the normal position of such mechanism. When it is desired tooperate the cam 177, the brace 195 is forced downward until the endthereof slips off of the cam 196, striking the face of the cam 177 andpermitting the clutch 188 to engage the shaft 17 8, the rotary movementof such clutch being thus imparted to said shaft and the cam 177seatedthereon. As this cam revolves the formation of the cam-track 1.86 issuch that the rack 183 is moved outwardly a short distance, rocking theshaft 102 inwardly, as already described. The rack is stationary amoment while the bundle is being bound,

after which it moves inwardly again, rotating the shaft 102 outwardly,as before shown, after which such rack again moves outwardly, returningthe shaft to its original position.

This is done in one revolution of the cam 177.

The cam 196 is provided with a track 197 of partial spiral form andinclining gradually outward from the face of the cam 177, so that as thelatter cam continues to revolve the brace 195, the end of which followsthe track 197, is forced gradually away therefrom until when the cam 177has completed its revolution the brace 195 has been returned to itsnormal position, as shown in Fig. 34, and the clutch 188 and hollowshaft 178 are disengaged. The movements of the cam 177 and mechanismoperated therebythereupon cease. The brace 195 is secured againstdropping of its own weight by means of a spring 198. Just above thebrace 195 is a lever 199, ful crumed in the frame 1, as at Z, Fig. 33,the free end of such lever being connected by means of a rod 200 with alever 201, fulcrumed to a support 202, as at m. (See Figs. 1, 2, and31.) The support 202 is secured on the guides 19 and carries at itsouter end a counter-wheel 203, having on its periphery a plurality ofequidistant teeth 204, equaling in numberthe number of wires it isdesired to bind together in a bundle, the preferred number thereof, asshown in my device, being 25. On one of the spokes of the wheel 203 isthe lug 205, adapted to engage at each revolution of such wheel aprojection 206 on the end of the lever 201, the engaging faces of suchlug and projection being beveled, so as to facilitate their operation.On the shaft 39, slightly out of line with the lever 199, is secured acam 207, having intermittent rotation with such shaft. WVhen the lug 205comes into contact with the projection 206, the end of the lever 201 isthrown outward from the wheel 203, drawing the lever 199 into line withthe cam 207, which at its next movement forces the lever 199 downward,displacing the brace 195 and operating the cam 177 and mechanismdependent thereon. The wheel 203 is so situated that as the wires movetoward the end of the tracks '45 each wire in succession comes incontact with one of the teeth 204E, moving said wheel such part of arevolution as there are teeth upon its periphery. It is apparent thatfor each revolution of the Wheel and consequent movement of the lever201 twenty-five wires must have passed the wheel and been delivered tothe bundling mechanism. On the slide-bar 179 is a cam-plate 208, Fig. 1,engaging the beveled end of the rod 209, supported by the bearings 111.To the other end of the rod 209 is secured a yoke 210, engaging a clutch211, feathered on the shaft 110, so as to have movement longitudinallythereof. The pinion 112 is in mesh with the gearwheel 138 and rotatesfreely upon the shaft 110. As the rack 183 moves outward it forces therod 209 and clutch 211 toward the piniongear112, which at this period isat rest. The recess 212 in the clutch 211 is thereby engaged by a pin213 on the pinion 112, whereupon such pinion and the shaft 110 are giventwo revolutions by one of the movements of the gear-wheel 138. As therack 183 is moved backward the rod 209 is released, returning to itsformer position, being aided therein by a coiled spring 214, secured onthe rod 209 between a pin 215 therein and the bearing 111. The pinion112 is at times actuated by the gear-wheel 138 when it is not desired tohave the coiling device operated, and to prevent the disturbance thereofat such times there is provided on the bearing 111 nearest the clutch211 a plate 216, provided with a point 217, adapted to engage a recess218 in the clutch 211 when such clutch is out of engagement with thepinion 112, Figs. 1 and 18.

The feed and cutting mechanism are operated as follows: Engaged by thedrive-wheel 134 is a pinion gear-wheel 219, fixed on a rotating shaft220,journaledinabearing 221,which is secured on the frame 1, Figs. 1, 3,and 36. On the end of the shaft 220 opposite to the pinion 219 is abevel gear-pinion 222, engaging a bevel gear-wheel 223, fixed on a shortshaft 224, supported in the frame 1. Secured on the shaft 224E outsideof the gear-wheel 223 is gear-wheel 225, engaging an idler gear-wheel226, adjustably secured to the frame 1 by any known method, so as to becapable of vertical or horizontal adjustment thereon. The arrangementshown consists of a hand-lever 227,fulcrumedin the frame,as at n, andadapted to be rigidly secured to such frame by means of a lock-bolt 228,engaging the rack 229, having a slot 230 therein. The gear-wheel 226, isfixed on a short shaft 231, rigidly secured to the lever 227 and capableof adjustment therein by means of the longitudinal slot 232. Theidler-gear 226 engages in turn the gear-wheel 233, fixed on the lowershaft 6 of the feed rolls. There is thus communicated from the mainwheel 13 1 to the feed-rolls 5 a constant rotation adapted to feed thewires 2 continu ously into the machine. On the rear end of therock-shaft 28 is fixed ahead 231, Figs. 1 and 17, to which is pivotallysecured, as at 0, a lever 235, so as to have limited horizontal movementupon its pivotal point, the free end of the lever resting upon thebed-plate 8 or a projection 236 thereof. On the inner face of the wheel138 is a friction-roller 237, adapted to engage and raise the lever 235,resulting in the rocking of the shaft 28, before referred to. The lever235 is only engaged by the roller 237 however, at each alternaterevolution of the wheel 138, such lever being out of engagement withsaid roller during the intervening alternate revolutions of such wheel.

TIO

I This result is accomplished by the following means: One end of the rod238 is secured to the lever 235, the other end of such rod beingpivotally attached to a bell-crank lever 23!), fulcrumed on thebed-plate 8, as at p. The long end of the lever 239 is engaged by lugs240 on the rack '46 nearest to such lever, the alternate reciprocationsof such rack through the medium of the lever 239 causing the rod 238 tooscillate, alternately drawing the lever 235 out of proximity to thewheel 138 and returning the same thereto.

It will be remembered that the wheel 138 performs one-third of arevolution to one revolution of the Wheel 13% and shaft 135 and that ateach revolution of the wheel 134 the rack 146 will perform one movementby reason of a half-rotation of the shafts 39 and 14.

Supposing the roller 227 to be at the highest point in its movement onthe wheel 13S and the lever 235 to be in engagement therewith, beforesuch roller again returns to said point there will be three movementsthereof, one for each revolution of the shaft 135; but during the sametime there will be three movements of the rod 238 and lever 235, so thatwhen the roller next arrives at the top of the wheel such lever will notbe engaged thereby. During another revolution of the Wheel 138 there arethree additional oscillations of the lever 235, bringing suchlever-again in contact with the roller237 when it arrives at the top ofthe Wheel. It will be seen, therefore, that there is contact between theroller 237 and lover 235 at the end of each sixth movement of suchlever, resulting in the rocking of the shaft 28, the movement whereofsimultane ously severs the series of wires 2 and opens the guides 19,releasing the wires therefrom.

Immediately after a series of wires is severed and released from saidguides the following operations are simultaneously performed in the sameperiod of time. The wheel 134 and shaft 135 revolve six times, the racks46 and 47 have six movements, by which the severed wires are conveyedsix spaces toward the loopforming mechanism, a new series of wires 2 isfed the desired distance into the machine, the wheel 138 revolvestwicethree movements to each revolution-the loop-forming mechanismoperates siX times, and six bale-ties pass the counter-wheel and aredelivered to the-bundling mechanism. The period closes with anothermovement of the rock-shaft 28, and theoperation continues as before.

In recapitulation, a series of Wires is fed in at the rear of themachine by means'of feedroll mechanism, the wires passing intolongitudinal guides, wherein they are supported until they have attaineda desired length, whereupon they are simultaneously out and released,falling upon mechanism which moves them intermittently and successivelytoward that side of the machine wherein are located the loop-forming andbundling devices. Each wire in its lateral passage through the machinehas a loop formed on one end thereof by means of the twisting-head andattendant mechanism. The wires then continue their lateral movement andare delivered to the bundling device, where they are bound in bundlesand dropped from the machine. In passing to the bundling mechanism eachwire in turn passes under the counterwheel, giving a partial revolutionthereto, until when a desired number of wires have passed beneath suchwheel the bundling mechanism is thereby set in motion.

It is apparent that if some of the wires were omitted from the series,leaving some of the spaces of the conveying-racks vacant, the bundlingmechanism would continue to bind the usual number of wires in eachbundle by reason of the fact that such mechanism would not beset inmotion until the usual number of wires had passed beneath thecounterwheel.

While one series of wires is moving laterally through the machineanother series thereof is being introduced longitudinally into themachine, ready to follow immediately after the first series.

What I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent ofthe United States, is

1. In a bale-tie machine the combination of mechanism for feeding aseries of wires into the machine; mechanism for cutting such wires afterthey have been introduced a desired distance into the machine; mechanismfor supporting such wires while they are being introduced into themachine, and for releasing the same after they have been so introducedand severed; mechanism for impartin g to such severed pieces anintermittent lateral movement; mechanism for forming a loop on one endof each of such wires, in succession, during such lateral movement; andmechanism for binding a plurality of such wires into a bundlesubstantially as set forth.

2. In a bale-tie machine the combination of mechanism for feeding acontinuous wire into the machine; mechanism for cutting a piece fromsuch wire after it has been introduced a desired distance into themachine; mechanism for supporting such wire and releasing the same afterit has been so introduced and cut; mechanism forimparting to suchsevered wire an intermittent, lateral movement; and mechanism forforming a loop on the end of such wire during such lateral movement;

substantially as described.

3. In a bale-tie machine the combination of means forintroducinga seriesof wire strands a desired distance into the machine; meansforsimultaneously cutting pieces of wire from such strands, anddelivering such severed wires to conveying mechanism; means forconveying such severed wires by an intermittent movement, laterallythrough aud from the machine; and means for forming a loop on one end ofeach of such wires, in succession, during such lateral progress throughthe machine; substantially as shown and set forth.

4. In a bale-tie machine, mechanism for forming a loop on the end of awire, consisting of the plunger 55, provided with a vertically-movablepin 62; twisting-head 07, provided with a pin 7 6, adapted to disappeartherein; plate 71 provided with the groove 72; jaws 84C, and means foroperating said mechanism, substantially as shown and set forth.

5. In a bale-tie machine the combination of mechanism for feeding aseries of wires into the machine; mechanism for simultaneously cuttingsuch wires after they have attained a desired length, consisting of aseries of knives 35, having handles 36 pivotally secured on theface-plate 17 in proximity thereto, a slidebar 29, supporting a seriesof blocks 38, engaging the handles 36 of the knives, and means formoving the slide-bar 29 so as to cause the knives 35 to cross the endsof the tubes 16 through which the wires pass, whereby such wires aresevered; mechanism for supporting such wires, and releasing the severedwires therefrom; mechanism for conveying such severed wires by anintermittent movement, laterally through and from the machine; andmechanism for forming a loop on each wire, in succession, as it passesthrough the machine; substantially as set forth. i

6. In a bale-tie machine the combination of mechanism for feeding aseries of wire strands into the machine; mechanism for guiding andsupporting such wires during their progress into the machine, and forreleasing the same after a desired length thereof has been obtained;such mechanism consisting of a series of guides 19, channeled to receivesuch wires, and adapted to open so as to permit such wires to droptherefrom; means for supporting such guides, and means forsimultaneously opening such guides to permit the release of the wirestherefrom; mechanism. for simultaneously cutting such wires; mechanismfor conveying such severed wires by an intermittent movement laterallythrough the machine; and mechanism for forming a loop on the end of eachwire, in succession, during such lateral progress through the machine;substantially as described. 7. In a bale-tie machine the combination ofmechanism for conveying the wires laterally through the machine,suchmechanism consist ing of a series of tracks 15, several pair of racks 46and47, one pair for each of the tracks 15, and means for imparting tosuch racks an eccentric intermittent movement; mechanism for forming aloop on one end of each wire as it passes through the machine; and meansfor delivering a plurality of wires simultaneously to the conveyingmechanism above referred to; substantially as set forth.

8, In a bale-tie machine the combination of mechanism for, introducing aseries of wire strands into the machine; mechanism for cutting lengthsof wire from such strands after they have been fed a desired distanceinto the machine; mechanism for delivering such severed lengths toloop-forming devices; and

loop-forming mechanism,consisting of a plunment laterall through suchmachine; mechi anism for forming a loop on one end of each of suchwires, in succession, during such lateral progress through the machine;and bundling mechanism, consisting of a series of brackets 100 havingrecesses 106, a shaft102, supporting a series of plates 103, adapted toreceive and hold the bale-tie wire; the disk 114; provided with knife115, the disk 118 carrying the knife 120, the wire 107, coiling-fin ger109, secured on the shaft 110, and means for supporting and operatingsuch bundling mechanism; substantially as shown and described.

10. In a bale-tie machine wherein the wires are passed laterally throughthe machine, and formed into bale-ties during such passage, mechanismfor forming the completed baleties into bundles of a desired size,consisting of the following parts in combination: a series of brackets100 having recesses 106 a series of plates 103 supported on the shaft102,

and adapted to receive a desired number of completed bale-ties and forcethe same into a compact bundle in the recesses 106; a coilingfinger 109secured on the shaft 110, and means for operating such shaft andcoiling-finger at desired intervals; a diskll provided with the knife115, and the disk 118 provided with the knife 120, such disks beingadapted to draw out a piece of the wire 107 and out such wire after thesame has been coiled about the bale-tie; the rack 183 engaging a pinion184 on a shaft 102; the hollow shaft 192 and cam 177 fixed thereon, suchcam being adapted to impart tothe rack 183 an eccentric reciprocatingmovement; the clutch 188, and means for rotating the same; the hanger190, and yoke 191 supported thereby; the brace 195 pivotally secured tohanger cam 196 on the cam 17 7, against which the end of the bracerests, holding the clutch 188 normally out of engagement with the hollowshaft 192; the lever 199, and cam 207, adapted to operate such leverwhen such parts are vertically in IIO line with one another; the rod200; lever 201; and the counter-Wheel 203, having teeth 204: and a lug205, and adapted to engage the end of the lever 201, whereby the lever199 is brought into line with the cam 207, the brace 195, and cam 190disengaged, and theoam 177 set in motion; substantially as set forth.

PETER FRANTZ.

Witnesses:

D. H. LINGEL, I. L. WEAVER.

